Everybody's Daughter

by Michael John Sullivan

  Michael’s heart sank. He gritted his teeth, folded his toes into the hard floor, and clenched his hands. “You married that soldier?”

  “Soldier?” She wore a baffled expression. “I do not understand.”

  “Marcus. The soldier who was after us.”

  “I do not know of any Marcus.”

  “The Roman. The one who chased us. The one that wanted Elizabeth.”

  ”Who is Elizabeth?”

  Michael rubbed his chin. “My daughter, of course,” he said.

  Leah shrugged her shoulders.

  He looked around the room. “I guess Marcus is not here?”

  She frowned, seeming affronted by his question. “I do not know of this person you speak of. My husband would not approve of you suggesting another man would live here with me.”

  “Your husband? What is his name?”

  “Yochanan.”

  “What?”

  “Yochanan is my husband.”

  He stood, almost knocking over his dish and cup. “That’s not possible.” He paced, rubbing his forehead and then it dawned on him. That’s why she didn’t recognize me. He stopped and stared at her. “I came back at the wrong time.” He held her shoulders. “I can’t believe it. I must have done something wrong.”

  She pulled away. “It is not proper for you to touch me this way.”

  “I touched you when I was taking care of you.”

  “That was a different situation. You had no choice.”

  He nodded. “How did I end up in the wrong time period?”

  “You are not making sense to me.” Concern flickered in her stare. “Perhaps you have come down with the sickness as well?”

  He shook his head, his voice trembling. “No, I’m feeling fine.”

  “Then what is wrong?”

  “Everything. I have to leave now.”

  “I would like to offer you breakfast before you are on your way.”

  “I don’t have time. I have to get back home to my daughter.”

  “Perhaps you can bring your daughter back and join me and my husband for dinner?” she asked. “Yochanan will be back soon and I know he would want to thank you for helping me.”

  His heart pumped at a fast pace. “Where is your husband?”

  “Why?”

  “It’s important. I need to find him.”

  “He is probably in the mountains, following some rabbi. He finds much comfort in their words. He is still grieving.”

  “Grieving over who?”

  “Our daughter.”

  “He needs to get back to you as soon as he can.”

  She stared at him, alarmed. “Why do you say that? Your words are scaring me.”

  He didn’t want to frighten Leah, but he couldn’t tell her the truth – that sometime in the near future her husband would be murdered. “I know everything I’m saying must sound strange. Just trust me without asking many questions as I can’t answer them for you right now.” He took a deep breath to calm the panic building inside him. “I need to find him and send him home to see you.”

  “I will come with you.”

  “No. Stay here in case he comes back. If I don’t find him by the next sunset, then look for us. What was he wearing?”

  She chewed her bottom lip and closed her eyes, whispering something that sounded like a prayer, but Michael wasn’t sure. She opened her eyes and looked at him. She seemed calmer. “He is wearing a light blue robe with a brown belt.”

  “What color is his hair and what does he look like?”

  Leah gave Michael a detailed description. He nodded and tightened the strap on his sandals. “Remember, if I or Yochanan don’t make it back by the next sunset find a relative or friend who can help you find him.”

  On impulse he hugged her. She froze yet didn’t pull away this time. He stepped back. “Sorry, didn’t mean to. If Yochanan comes home, tell him to carry a weapon. You live in dangerous times.”

  “We do not believe in killing. We live our life through the Ten Commandments.”

  “Sometimes you need to defend yourself.”

  “We will defend ourselves with prayer and love.”

  “Sometimes you can give someone all the love in the world and it won’t be accepted. Please promise me you’ll consider it.”

  She didn’t answer.

  “I’ve got to go. You have no idea what you’ve done for me. I will never forget you.”

  She gave him a curious look before replying. “Nor will I.”

  He paused a few seconds and shook her hand. Then he hurried out the front door and through the courtyard. He drank a few cups of water by the well before heading toward Jerusalem.

  I can save his life. I have to be smart, careful. I can’t come at him with fear or he’ll think I’m crazy. Of course I can’t tell him I love his wife. I’m not even going to tell him I know her. Now I know why I’m here in this time period.

  I’m here to change Leah and Yochanan’s life.

  Chapter Ten

  Leah stroked Elizabeth’s hair with a wooden brush, smiling uneasily. ”When I am done, we should go.”

  “No,” Elizabeth said. “Can we wait until at least tomorrow morn…um, the next sunset? Until my dad comes?”

  She stopped grooming her. “It is dark out. We will not go now. You should go at sunrise.”

  Elizabeth sighed. “I don’t know where he could be. I was sure he would have been here by now.”

  Leah held her shoulders. “We will leave after breakfast.” She pulled Elizabeth’s hair back. “You said your father wishes to marry me?”

  “Yes. I don’t think he spent one day without thinking about you. He was always looking to find a way to come back here. He was so upset about leaving you behind.”

  She rubbed Elizabeth’s back. “Are you sure he was coming to my house? This town?”

  “I am. The opening was there again. My aunt said she saw him go down the tunnel and was talking about going to Jerusalem.”

  Leah took a deep breath and sighed. “How long did he leave before you?”

  “I don’t know. It couldn’t have been that long.”

  Elizabeth turned around and saw Leah slump. “You’re worried, aren’t you?”

  “I love your father.”

  Elizabeth hugged Leah’s arm. “I’m worried too. He’s always on time. I’m the one who is always showing up late.”

  “Maybe he went back?”

  “No. He would have come here first before leaving. He wanted to make sure you were safe. It’s all he talked about since we got back home.”

  “Maybe he came when I was not here.”

  “Were you out of your home for long?”

  Leah pondered the question for several moments. “I am not sure.”

  They sat quietly as she moved her hand from the middle of Elizabeth’s forehead to the back of her neck. Finally Leah spoke. “We will get up early and make sure you get home. If your father comes after you are gone, I will tell him you went back.”

  “Will you go back with him, Leah?”

  She winced. “Marcus is a merciless man who comes and goes. He is looking to avenge those who do not obey him.”

  Elizabeth sat up, distressed. “Then this is no place for you to be. You must come back whether my father arrives or not. Come back with me.”

  The tension in her voice was clear. Leah wrapped her arms around her. “It would be dangerous for me to go with you or with anyone, even your father.”

  “Why?”

  Leah took an extended breath again. “Marcus will avenge my departure. He will hunt down my brother and his wife and children. He drinks a lot and is violent. He will kill anyone he wishes.”

  “Does he know where your brother and his family live?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, no.” Elizabeth rested her head against Leah’s shoulder. “Dad was right. He knew you were in trouble.” She paused and stood. “We have to do something. Can we go to the authorities?”

  “What do y
ou think they will tell a Jewish widow?”

  “I don’t know. I read up a little about this time and the customs. But there’s only so much you can learn from a book.”

  “I do not understand, Elizabeth.”

  “Well, we have to think of something,” she answered with determination.

  Leah shook her head. “Let us speak of other things.”

  “Sure. It will take our mind off that horrible man.”

  Leah smiled. “Do you like a man back home?”

  “A man? Or a boy?”

  Leah looked baffled. “A man.”

  “Well, he’s not quite a man yet, although I guess he is a man for this town,” she said, smiling. “Anyway, his name is Matt.”

  “Matt? That is a strange name for a man.”

  “His full name is Matthew.”

  Leah nodded. “Matthew. I like that name. Does your father know about him?”

  “Well, sort of. He’s heard me talk about him but he doesn’t know we’ve gone out a few times. We’re mostly friends right now.”

  “Friends? How can you be a friend with a man?”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “That’s something my dad would ask.”

  Leah continued, “You did not answer my question.”

  “I’m not sure how to answer it. I do like him enough but I don’t know how much he likes me, because he’s much older than I am.”

  “How much older?”

  “A couple of years.”

  “What are years?”

  Elizabeth paused for a few seconds. “There are three-hundred and sixty-five sunsets for every year. So he would be over seven hundred sunsets older than me.”

  “That is not much older. Yochanan was many more sunsets older than me.”

  “How old are you, Leah?”

  She pulled back from Elizabeth. “Are you going to tell your father?”

  “No. I promise.”

  “Many more sunsets than you.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “You’re not going to tell me?”

  “No.” She smiled. “Around here I am considered old. Will you tell your father about Matthew?”

  “I’ve tried. But he always changes the subject.”

  Leah nodded. “I know why. He is worried about losing you. It is difficult for any father to see his daughter grow up and find a man. I know it was for my father. Be gentle with him. Men do not like to talk about what is in here.” She put her hand over her heart.

  “Boy, I could really use you in Northport,” Elizabeth said with a wide smile. “It would be easier to explain my boy situation to him. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. He makes a face like this.” Elizabeth frowned and creased her eyes tightly.

  “That looks like someone in pain.”

  “Nah, it doesn’t hurt him. It’s his way of showing me he doesn’t approve.”

  “When are you and Matthew getting married?”

  “Whoa. Married?” She scrunched up her face. “Not for many more sunsets.”

  “How many more?”

  “Too many to count.”

  “Your town has many strange customs.”

  “Yeah, true. But this is one I agree with.”

  “Will Matthew look for somone else if you do not marry him soon?”

  “I doubt it. He’s too young to be married.”

  Leah filled two cups of water and handed one to Elizabeth. “My mouth is getting dry from all this talking.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry? You do not have to be. I have not spoken to anyone like this since I sat on the roof with your father. It is with much joy we talk.”

  “You enjoyed talking with my dad?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did you talk about?”

  “Life. Our losses. Our loves. Our fears. Our hopes. Our dreams.”

  Elizabeth went to the window.

  “Move away from there,” Leah urged, and Elizabeth returned to the mat. “Maybe Matthew could be for you?”

  Elizabeth shrugged, not really hearing the question.

  Leah encouraged her with a tap on the shoulder. “Talk to your father about Matthew. He is easy to talk to once you find a way inside his heart. It may take a while but it will happen. But marry this Matthew.” She placed her hand again over Elizabeth’s heart and smiled.

  Elizabeth shook herself out of the brief trance. “My dad is not going to let me marry Matthew. I’m way too young for that. Hey, I like calling him Matthew instead of Matt. Thanks.”

  Relief healed Elizabeth’s heart as she continued to share her private emotions with Leah. Sure, she had close friends, but talking to Leah gave her a more comforting feeling. Without a mother, a confidant, someone with whom she could share secrets like this, she had always felt profoundly sad. Especially when her father emptied his heart, telling her about the night she was born – the night her mother died.

  Perhaps it was her fate to battle life’s obstacles with her father at times, and other challenges alone. She wanted a longer conversation with Leah. She felt a bond with this woman, as if they had forged a covenant. Together they drank water in silence, and each sip seemed to solidify their alliance.

  Elizabeth felt ready to ask the question that had been bothering her all night. “Has Marcus hurt you?”

  Leah put her cup down, avoiding eye contact. “I am fine.”

  “But that’s not what I asked. Did he hurt you?”

  Leah stayed quiet.

  “Tell me. I’m not a child. I can handle it.”

  Leah reached over and brushed Elizabeth’s bangs away from her eyes. “I know you are not a child.”

  “Did he hurt you?” she pressed.

  “It is none of your concern.”

  “It is my concern,” she said. “I love you.”

  Leah stood and stared out the window.

  Elizabeth joined her, wrapping her in a tight squeeze. Leah quivered.

  “How did he hurt you?”

  “I do not want to talk about it.”

  “How bad did he hurt you?”

  “After you and your father left and I tried to leave, he was furious. He hit me.” Elizabeth hugged her again. Leah pulled back with a cry of pain.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My back. It is hurting again.”

  “Let me see.”

  Leah turned and lifted her robe. An angry red welt streaked across the middle of her back.

  Repulsed at the brutality, Elizabeth gasped out loud.

  “Is it bad?” Leah asked.

  “Yes. Marcus did this to you, didn’t he?” Elizabeth felt anger she had never experienced before. “Oh my God, you’re bleeding,” She retrieved a cloth and noticed more blood on the back of the garment and Leah’s legs. “Oh no.”

  “What is wrong?”

  “I think you better stay still.” Elizabeth grabbed two more cloths from the dining area and hurried back.

  Leah doubled over, holding her stomach.

  Horrified at the sight of all the blood spilling onto the floor, Elizabeth tried not to throw up. She swallowed hard and knelt beside Leah, handing her a cloth.

  “I will be fine,” Leah said. “This has happened before.”

  It took Elizabeth a moment to fully understand what was happening. “You lost it.”

  “I know,” Leah whispered. “We will need to bury him.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Vendors hawking their products dictated the street’s vibrant pace. Women held small children’s hands, promising special treats as husbands haggled for the best price. The barking shouts from the business owners reminded Michael of the times he had attended art auctions with his friend Susan. Clusters of people seemed to move in unison from one storefront to the next as vendors boasted about their special deals.

  How am I going to find Yochanan in this mess?

  Michael strolled from market to market, dissecting each pile of shoppers while remembering Leah’s description and her tale about Yochanan’s marriage proposal. />
  He has a light blue robe, dark brown belt, black hair, brown eyes, and a scar on his right knee. He got the scar the night he proposed to me. He kneeled on the edge of a rock sticking up from the ground as he asked me to marry him. Oh, he was so brave and sweet, his knee was bleeding and he patiently waited for me to answer. But I was too distracted by his wincing and the blood pouring out of his knee. I asked him to let me help. He wouldn’t. He stayed down on his knee. I started to cry. I said yes, oh yes, Yochanan. Now get up and let me take care of my future husband.

  Michael spotted a large group of men and women, some carrying small children, heading in the direction outside the city and toward the hills in the distance. He could see the stream of people, some with donkeys carrying the elderly, making their way up a long trail leading to a winding dirt road. As he shaded his eyes from the mid-afternoon sun to see if Yochanan was among the group, he caught up to the stragglers. One woman carried a sick girl, her legs badly bruised. An older man limped, guiding himself with a wooden cane but laughing, encouraging the youngsters to keep pace with him.

  “Excuse me, sir?” Michael panted.

  “Slow down son. Catch your breath. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m looking for a man named Yochanan. He’s wearing a blue robe, has black hair and a scar on his knee,” he said, pointing to his own. “Oh, and a brown belt.”

  “I am sorry,” the old man replied. “I do not know.”

  “Thank you anyway.” He pointed ahead. “Where is everyone going?”

  “To see this preacher, Jesus of Nazareth.”

  “Jesus?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s alive?”

  The man laughed. “He better be. Or I have taken a very long walk and got myself an earful from a bunch of young ones too.”

  Michael realized that if he had traveled back at a time when Yochanan was still alive, this was a different time of Jesus’ life too, the period where He preached his important lessons.

  This all makes sense now. Leah told me the first time I was here how Yochanan would follow preachers in the mountains. Maybe she was talking about Jesus. She said he was up in the hills looking for answers.

  “May I follow you?” Michael asked. “I wouldn’t know how to find the preacher.”

  “Yes. Let us see if you can keep up with me. If you have any trouble climbing these hills, I have a cane.” He waved it around and laughed. “Where do you come from? Not from here, I know.”